Atomizer and electronic cigarette using the same

ABSTRACT

An electronic cigarette includes a container for storing a tobacco flavored liquid, an atomizer connected to the container to atomize the tobacco flavored liquid by an electric heating, a battery tube to power the atomizer, and an actuating film movably positioned in the battery tube to control the atomizer.

CROSS REFERENCE

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/678,937,filed on Apr. 4, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/831,553, filed on Jul. 7, 2010, now U.S. Pat.No. 9,022,026, which claims the benefit of China Application No.200910108807.6 filed on Jul. 14, 2009, the entire disclosure of each ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to electronic products, and particularly,to an atomizer and an electronic cigarette using the atomizer.

2. Description of Related Art

As is well known, smoking is not only harmful to a smoker, but alsoharmful to other people around him due to passive smoking, which isoften referred as secondhand smoking. In addition, a lit cigarette endmay cause a fire if it is not properly extinguished.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an electroniccigarette.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an inhalation element of theelectronic cigarette of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of atomizer of theelectronic cigarette of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a battery tube of the electroniccigarette of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side, schematic view of a switch of the electronic cigaretteof FIG. 1 showing a actuating film is separated from a perforated plate;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, but shows the actuating film contacts theperforated plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an electronic cigarette 400includes a container 100 configured for storing a tobacco flavoredliquid, an atomizer 200 configured for vaporizing the liquid by electricheating, and a battery tube 300 configured for powering the atomizer 200and controlling the atomizer 200 to vaporize the liquid. The container100, the atomizer 200 and the battery tube 300 are connected one by one.

Referring to FIG. 2, the container 100 is detachably connected to theatomizer 200 to facilitate replacement of the container 100 and theliquid. The container 100 includes an inhalation element 1, a liquidtank 2, and an absorbent element 3. The inhalation element 1 is shapedas a substantially hollow cylinder defining an opening 102 at one endand an inhalation hole 104 at the other end thereof. The liquid tank 2defines a smoke channel 106 in a middle portion thereof communicatingwith the inhalation hole 104. The smoke channel 106 has a relativegreater width in a portion adjacent to the inhalation hole 104, suchthat the atomized liquid fully contacts an inner wall of the liquid tank2 and is cooled into water, thus avoiding the atomized liquid fromaffecting a taste of the liquid. The liquid tank 2 is received in theinhalation element 1 and contacts a sidewall of the inhalation element 1with one end. The sidewall of the inhalation element 1 and the other endof the liquid tank 2 cooperatively define a gap 108 therebetween. Theinhalation element 1, the liquid tank 2 and the absorbent element 3cooperatively define a liquid storage cavity 110 to receive the liquid.The liquid storage cavity 110 has an liquid outlet 107. The liquidoutlet 107 extends from the liquid storage cavity 110 to an outsidesurface 109 of the liquid outlet 107. A velocity of the liquid receivedin the storage cavity 110 flow to the absorbent element 3 is slowed downdue to the gap 108, such that a fast consumption of the liquid and ahigh concentration of the atomized flavored liquid can be avoid. Theinhalation element 1 and the liquid tank 2 may be made of food-gradepolypropylene (PP) and is disposable. In the illustrated embodiment, theabsorbent element 3 is an absorbent cotton.

Referring to FIG. 2, the container 100 is detachably connected to theatomizer 200 to facilitate replacement of the container 100 and theliquid. The container 100 is substantially hollow cylinder and includesthe inhalation element 1, the liquid tank 2, an outlet- defining element120, and the absorbent element 3. The inhalation element 1 is shaped asa substantially hollow cylinder defining the opening 102 at one end, andthe inhalation hole 104 at the other end thereof as an inhalation end ora mouth-end piece. The liquid tank 2 defines the smoke channel 106 in amiddle portion thereof communicating with the inhalation hole 104, inthe embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid tank 2 is hollowcylindrical with the smoke channel 106 defined therein, and has concaveor inward-curved out-surfaces. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, theabsorbent element 3 is exemplary annular and flange-shaped, andsurrounds the smoke channel 106. The smoke channel 106 has a relativegreater width in a portion adjacent to the inhalation hole 104, suchthat the atomized liquid fully contacts an inner wall of the liquid tank2 and is cooled into water, thus avoiding the atomized liquid fromaffecting a taste of the liquid. The liquid tank 2 is received in theinhalation element 1 and contacts a sidewall of the inhalation element 1with one end. The inhalation element 1, the liquid tank 2, theoutlet-defining element 120, and the absorbent element 3 cooperativelydefine a liquid storage cavity 110 to receive the liquid. The liquidstorage cavity 110 has the liquid outlet 107. The outlet-definingelement 120 is positioned at the liquid outlet 107, defines the shape ofthe opening of the liquid outlet 107, and reduces the size or sizes ofthe liquid outlet 107. For instance, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, theoutlet-defining element 120 is a flange-shaped structure extending intothe liquid storage cavity 110, the liquid outlet 107 is reduced to atubular passage by the outlet-defining element 120, to such a degreethat the area of the liquid outlet 107, on an intersecting plane 118perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 122 of the container 100 at theliquid outlet, is a smaller than the area of the liquid storage cavityon an intersecting planes 119 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 122of the container 100 at a position of non liquid outlet portion of theliquid storage cavity 110. The liquid outlet 107 extends from the liquidstorage cavity 110 to an outside surface 109 of the outlet-definingelement 120 in the embodiment. The absorbent element 3, in theembodiment of FIG. 2, is attached to the outside surface 109 of theoutlet-defining element 120 to cover the opening of the liquid outlet107, yet allows the liquid to permeate through. Because the size orsizes of the liquid outlet 107 are limited by the outlet-definingelement 120, the velocity of the liquid received in the storage cavity110 flowing to the absorbent element 3 is slowed down due to smallerarea of the opening the liquid outlet 107, such that a fast consumptionof the liquid and a high concentration of the atomized flavored liquidcan be avoid. The inhalation element 1 and the liquid tank 2 may be madeof food-grade polypropylene (PP) and is disposable. In the illustratedembodiment, the absorbent element 3 is absorbent cotton.

Referring to FIG. 3, the atomizer 200 includes a liquid conductingelement 4, a stainless steel pipe 5, a sleeve 6, a heating wire 7, ametal fiber element 8, an atomizing cup 9, a nonwoven fabric 10, a nut11, a first washer 12, and a first pin 13. The stainless steel pipe 5 isclosely attached to an inner sidewall of the inhalation element 1. Theinhalation element 1, the stainless steel pipe 5, the liquid conductingmaterial 4, the metal fiber element 8 and the atomizing cup 9 arecoaxially arranged in that order. Both of an end of the liquidconducting material 4 and an end of the metal fiber element 8 contactthe absorbent element 3. The atomizing cup 9 defines a cavity 112 in amiddle portion thereof. The other end of the liquid tank 2 is receivedin the atomizing cup 9, such that the cavity 112 communicates with thesmoke channel 106. The atomizing cup 9 defines two coaxial through holes114 on a sidewall thereof communicating with the cavity 112. The sleeve6 is received in the cavity 112 and aligned with the two through holes114, such that the liquid guided by the metal fiber element 8 can flowinto the sleeve 6. The heating wire 7 is located inside the sleeve 6.When the heating wire 7 is heated by electricity, the liquid isvaporized and then passes through the smoke channel 106 and theinhalation hole 104 to be inhaled by a user. The atomizer 200 uses themetal fiber element 8 to guide the liquid to reach the heating wire 7according to capillary principle, such that an improved atomizing effectcan be achieved. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating wire 7 ismade of nichrome. The atomizing cup 9 is made of polytetrafluoroethene,which is used as a bracket for the heating wire to avoid heatdissipation. The liquid conducting material 4 is capable of storing thetobacco flavored liquid temporarily according to capillary principle andcan resist heat from conducting to container 100 effectively.

The nonwoven fabric 10 is sleeved on an end of the atomizing cup 9 awayfrom the liquid tank 2. The nut 11 is positioned adjoining an end of thestainless steel pipe 5. The short pin 13 is received in the nut 11. Thefirst washer 12, which is made of silicone, is positioned between thenut 11 and the short pin 13 to fix the short pin 13.

Referring to FIG. 4, the battery tube 300 includes a second washer 14, asecond pin 15, a screw element 16, a switch seat 17, a switch 18, acontrol circuit board 19, a first insulation piece 20, an insulationcover 21, a tube body 22, a second insulation piece 24, a light controlboard 25, and a light cover 26. The screw element 16 is shaped as asubstantially hollow cylinder and is engaged in the nut 11. The secondpin 15 is located inside the screw element 16, and the second washer 14is positioned between the screw element 16 and the second pin 15 to fixthe second pin 15. The first pin 13 and the second pin 15 are bothhollow components, and define a channel 116 therebetween communicatingwith the cavity 112. The screw element 16 is received in the tube body22 via interference fit. The switch seat 17 is received in the tube body22 adjoining the screw element 16. The switch 18 is received in the seat17. The first insulation piece 20 is received in the tube body 22adjoining the switch 18. The control circuit board 19 is positionedbetween the first insulation piece 20 and the insulation covering 21 andelectrically connected to the heating wire 7. The switch 18 isconfigured to activate the control circuit board 19 to control a outputcurrent to the heating wire 7. The insulation cover 21 defines anopening (not labeled). The first insulation piece 20 is mounted on theinsulation cover 21 to cover the opening. A battery 23 may be positionedbetween the insulation covering 21 and the second insulation piece 24and be electrically connected to the control circuit board 19, The lightcover 26 covers a end of the tube body 22 away from the atomizer 200.The light control board 25 is mounted between the second insulationpiece 24 and the light cover 26 and electrically connected to thecontrol circuit board 19. The battery tube 300 further includes a LED 27positioned on the light control board 25.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the switch 18 includes a negativeelectrode 502, a positive electrode 504, a printed circuit board (PCB)506, a metal ring 508, an aluminum casing 510, an insulation plate 512,an actuating film 514, and a porous plate 516. The negative electrode502 and the positive electrode 504 are located on the PCB 506. The PCB506 is connected to the actuating film 514 via the metal ring 508. Theperforated plate 516 is also connected to the PCB 506. The insulationplate 512 is positioned between the actuating film 514 and theperforated plate 516. The actuating film 514 and the perforated plate516 cooperatively forms an unidirectional switch 515 When the actuatingfilm 514 contacts the perforated plate 516 (as shown in FIG. 6), theunidirectional switch 515 is turned on, and the negative electrode 502and the positive electrode 504 are coupled; when the actuating film 514is separated from the perforated plate 516 (as shown in FIG. 5), theunidirectional switch 515 is turned off, and the negative electrode 502and the positive electrode 504 are disconnected. The insulation plate512 is positioned between the actuating film 514 and the perforatedplate 516 to prevent the actuating film 514 from accidentally contactingthe perforated plate 516. When the switch 18 is assembled in theelectronic cigarette 400, the actuating film 514 is opposite to thecavity 112 and the channel 116, the perforated plate 516 is positionedbetween the actuating film 514 and the cavity 112. The perorated plate516 is capable of allowing an airflow to pass through. When the cavity112 is in a state of negative pressure, the actuating film 514 contactsto the perorated plate 516 and the switch is turned on. When the cavity112 is in a state of positive pressure, the actuating film 514 is pushedaway from the perorated plate 561 by the airflow and the switch cannotbe turned on.

In use, the user inhales the electronic cigarette 400 at the inhalationhole 104, such that a negative pressure is formed inside smoke channel106, cavity 112, and channel 116, and a pressure difference is formed onopposite sides of the actuating film 514. The actuating film 514 istherefore impelled to contact the perforated plate 516 by the pressure,and the negative electrode 502 and the positive electrode 504 arecoupled to generate an electrical signal to activate a chip on thecontrol circuit board 19 to power the heating element 7. The heatingelement 7 vaporizes the liquid conducted by the metal fiber element 8into vapor, which is then inhaled by the user after passing through thechannel 116, the cavity 112, the smoke channel 106 and the inhalationhole 104. Because the switch 18 has the unidirectional switch 515, itcan stop the heating element 7 form working when the actuating film 514is not under a negative pressure cooperating with the control circuitboard 19. Therefore, no power consumption occurs when the electriccigarette stops working. The switch 18 is highly sensitive to a pressuredifferential created by inhaling airflow while is immune from anexterior noise. The LED 27 on the light control board 25 is turned on bythe control circuit board 19 when the side of the actuating film 514 isin negative pressure condition, to imitate a lighting effect as aconventional cigarette.

The electronic cigarette 400 may be used as a substitute of conventionalcigarette. Because the tobacco flavored liquid used by the electroniccigarette 400 doesn't contain nicotine, a damage to the user's healthcan be avoided. In addition, the electronic cigarette 400 can alsoreduce the cost of smoking and produce no cigarette ash and fire, and itis thus safe for use and good for environment protection.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent invention, particularly, any preferred embodiments, are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of theinvention without departing substantially from the spirit and principlesof the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the presentinvention and protected by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An atomizer assembly, comprising: a containerdefining a liquid storage cavity for receiving a liquid and noliquid-storage medium contained in the liquid storage cavity, the liquidstorage cavity comprising a liquid outlet, an absorbent element beingattached to an outside surface of the liquid outlet to cover the liquidoutlet for preventing the liquid received in the liquid storage cavityfrom flowing out of the liquid storage cavity directly; and an atomizerconnected to a side of the absorbent element away from the liquid outletto atomize liquid permeating through the absorbent element by anelectric heating element, wherein the container further comprising anoutlet-defining element positioned at the liquid outlet, and theabsorbent element attached to an outside surface of the outlet-definingelement and covering an opening of the liquid outlet for preventing theliquid received in the liquid storage cavity from flowing out of theliquid storage cavity directly; wherein the outlet-defining elementdefines a shape and reduces a size of the liquid outlet.
 2. The atomizerassembly of claim 1, wherein an area of the liquid outlet on anintersecting plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the containeris smaller than an area of a non liquid outlet portion of the liquidstorage cavity on an intersecting plane perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the container.
 3. The atomizer assembly of claim 1,wherein the atomizer assembly comprises an inhalation end, the containerdefines an opening at an end thereof away from the inhalation end, theatomizer is inserted into the container through the opening at the endaway from the inhalation end.
 4. The atomizer assembly of claim 1,wherein the atomizer is attached to an inner sidewall of the containeradjacent to the opening.
 5. The atomizer assembly of claim 1, whereinthe container defines a smoke channel extending along an longitudinalaxis of the container, and the smoke channel is surrounded by the liquidstorage cavity.
 6. The atomizer assembly of claim 5, wherein theabsorbent element surrounds the smoke channel.
 7. The atomizer assemblyof claim 1, wherein the container further comprises an inhalationelement, and a liquid tank; the inhalation element is a hollow cylinderdefining an opening at one end and an inhalation hole at the other endthereof; the liquid tank defines a smoke channel in a middle portionthereof and in communication with the inhalation hole, the liquid tankis received in the inhalation element, the outlet-defining element ispositioned at an end of the liquid tank; the inhalation element, theliquid tank and the absorbent element cooperatively define the liquidstorage cavity to receive a liquid therein.
 8. The atomizer assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the container comprises an inhalation element and aliquid tank; the liquid tank is received in the inhalation element anddefines a smoke channel in a middle portion thereof, wherein theatomizer comprises a liquid conducting element, a stainless steel pipe,a sleeve, a heating wire, a metal fiber element, and an atomizing cup;the inhalation element, the stainless steel pipe, the liquid conductingelement, the metal fiber element and the atomizing cup are coaxiallyarranged in that order; an end of the liquid conducting element and anend of the metal fiber element contact with the absorbent element, theatomizing cup defines a cavity communicating with the smoke channel; theatomizing cup defines a through hole; the sleeve is received in thecavity and aligned with the through hole.
 9. An electronic cigarette,comprising: a container defining a liquid storage cavity for receiving atobacco-flavored liquid and no liquid-storage medium contained in theliquid storage cavity, the liquid storage cavity comprising a liquidoutlet, an absorbent element being attached to an outside surface of theliquid outlet to cover the liquid outlet for preventing thetobacco-flavored liquid received in the liquid storage cavity fromflowing out of the liquid storage cavity directly; and an atomizerconnected to a side of the absorbent element away from the liquid outletto atomize tobacco-flavored liquid permeating through the absorbentelement by an electric heating element; and a battery configured forpowering the atomizer, wherein the container further comprising anoutlet-defining element positioned at the liquid outlet, and theabsorbent element attached to an outside surface of the outlet-definingelement and covering an opening of the liquid outlet for preventing theliquid received in the liquid storage cavity from flowing out of theliquid storage cavity directly; wherein the outlet-defining elementdefines a shape and reduces a size of the opening of the liquid outlet.